Aleph One icon

[goran]

Marathon symbol from the pfhorums in 4 different sizes and colors.

[JUICEMAN]

Not made by JUICEMAN.

Made by JUICEMAN.

[Pfhorrest]

I'm open to using a new icon for Aleph One, and the next release would be a good time to introduce one. However, I don't really like any of the ones in this thread so far. The 3D rendered ones in particular are terrible. #14 is closest, but I like the proportions of the logo at the top of the Pfhorums rather the narrower crescent outer ring of #14. Also, the lighting of #14 could be smoother and radial like said Pfhorums logo.

The thing is, Aleph One ships with a set of icons for each of its file types, too, and shipping a main application icon without the corresponding file icons would be inconsistent. So, I'm unlikely to include a new icon without all of those, too.

Also, should we consider using a color other than green?

Changing the proportions of mine to match the Pfhorums icon would be very easy. Changing the lighting probably about as easy.

And if we have consensus on what new icon to use, I'd be happy to put it on all the file icons too, shouldn't be much work.

I am in favor of sticking with the green.

I am however more fond, in principle, of the 3D versions, though they aren't perfect yet.

[TychoVII]

The only image I can think of that is fitting enough to represent A1 is a likeness of the heroic man who single-handedly hoists Aleph One upon his shoulders:

The pimp-king of Aleph One, Treellama.

[Crater Creator]

By popular request, I made it white, flattened it, and flipped the lights.

[attachment=4582:3D_symbo...te_small.png]

I like Leendert's image too, but these were the easy changes I had time to try. Getting that candy/glassy look is proving to be a challenge. I might try doing the glossy icon thing with this opaque white version.

[edit]Seeing it on this dark background, I'm not liking the backlight over the top left edge. I'll probably tweak the lights more.

[goran]

By popular request, I made it white, flattened it, and flipped the lights.

[attachment=4582:3D_symbo...te_small.png]

I like Leendert's image too, but these were the easy changes I had time to try. Getting that candy/glassy look is proving to be a challenge. I might try doing the glossy icon thing with this opaque white version.

[edit]Seeing it on this dark background, I'm not liking the backlight over the top left edge. I'll probably tweak the lights more.

Give it a small drop shadow, it will make it clearer on white backgrounds.

[CryoS]

And if possible, how the icon would look in other colours.
(green, gold and so on)

[Ares Ex Machina]

The default background for folders is white. Shouldn't we be previewing the new icon against white?

[goran]

This is how Crater's Logo looks on white. It wasn't as bad as I thought, but I'd still prefer a little black shadow to make it clearer.

[Drictelt]

There's a strange line at the upper left of both inner and outer circle.

Also, I think the logo would look a lot better if the corners at the cut in the outer circle were just slightly rounded.

[treellama]

The pimp-king of Aleph One, Treellama.

C++ ain't easy, but it's necessary

[treellama]

Getting that candy/glassy look is proving to be a challenge.

I recommend picking up a copy of the book "Photoshop 6 Wow" or whatever later version you like. That's where I learned to make glossy translucent buttons.

Edit: I should add, I still prefer the flat look for the default icon, but having all these variations is great for people who want to customize their app launcher.

[Crater Creator]

Oh, I've seen tutorials to do it in Photoshop. I'd like to do it in 3D so that the reflections, highlights etc. are accurate.

Drictelt: the line you're seeing is the backlight; I intend to change or remove it.

[Pfhorrest]

Here's a thought on the 3D versions:

Leave the inner circle a sphere. Take a flattened version of the outer ring/torus/whatever, and put it flush with the front (camera-ward) end of the sphere; so the sphere is "sunken behind" the "flat" outer portions of the logo. Arrange the lighting such that shadows and highlights make this depth evident.

I would be interested in seeing how that looks.

[zero]

I don't know what you guy's think, but I think we need icons for each file type in Windows.
I hate that "open window" icon I get right now.

[SirBlastalot]

Been lurking, thought I'd drop my $.02:
I think white is a bad ideal, because A) Several scenarios already use white icons, so it would cause confusion, and White isn't very far away from the silver/gray that Infinity uses. I definitely think we should stick with green.

[brilliant]

I think white is a bad ideal, because A) Several scenarios already use white icons, so it would cause confusion

I disagree. There are already a lot of icons that look similar and could cause confusion, so it really wouldn't matter. Even if the Aleph One icon is a different color other than white, I'm sure there's another icon it would look similar to. I like green a lot though, and I think that it should still be the color for the Aleph One icon.

[gmanyo]

I'm diggin' Crater Creator's white one, but has anyone considered black? Or maybe some sorta fancy black and white logo split by a vertical or angled line, or even a yin-yang type thing?

Also, maybe the logo should reflect the fact that it's an engine, not an actual game, like Forge's or Weland's.

[Crater Creator]

I like the white one in part for its clean aesthetic, but on the flip side I also find it bland. I wanted to add the text "U.E.S.C" in the center circle to address that. But I didn't, because I suspect any sort of major new element like text or a yin-yang will be seen as too personalized, rather than an updated version of the Aleph One icon suitable for any scenario.

Solid black might work...I'll experiment some more today if I find time.

[irons]

I think by post #70 we can tell who spends more time looking at icons than they spend playing.

(everyone)

[treellama]

[attachment=4585:agent_ga...n_symbol.png]

Edit:
[attachment=4586:Screen_s...31.02_PM.png]

[irons]

LOKE

Edit:

[gmanyo]

Hey, if any of you remember Ford, he's a really good graphic designer (Here's some of his work, and yes, he has since fixed the text misalignment; he also won the shirt design contest for the band Safetysuit). I could ask him to try some stuff.

Edit:
Here's an idea: since Aleph One is an engine that just runs marathon, make the logo look like a casing for the original logo. It could look like the original logo, but it would seem like it was made out of glass, or transparent/translucent plastic, so that it looks like you can sort of "put in" any marathon game you want. Or you could try inverting it and using the reverse image of the logo.

[ukimalefu]

[Crater Creator]

Made a new one, no time for details.
[attachment=4591:3D_symbo..._2_small.png]